'It is like a death wish' - Shashi Tharoor slams India for leaving out Ravi Ashwin and Mohammed Shami

India skipper Virat Kohli has always surprised everyone with his team selections. Clearly, Ravi Ashwin‘s exclusion from the first four Test matches of the ongoing series against England has left everyone befuddled. His decision vindicated in the first two Tests where the pace bowlers took all 20 wickets of the opposition. But after an innings loss at Headingley, many were expecting for India’s premier off-spinner to make it to the playing XI.

The Test match was at The Oval, England’s most spin-friendly venue. At the same ground, Ashwin had picked 6/27 in the only County Championship game he played for Surrey before the series got underway. Also, the conditions were deemed to be dry throughout the Test and it seemed perfect for Ashwin to play his first game of the series.

However, India didn’t include him in the playing XI and also had to leave out Mohammed Shami, who, according to Kohli, had a few niggles. Ishant Sharma was also left out for the same reason with two pace bowlers Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav replacing them. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was clearly not impresses and much like the fans and experts, he also echoed their voices expressing his shock over the selection.

He slammed the Indian team and stated that the selection for The Oval Test has been like a death wish. “I can’t believe they left out Ashwin again, on England’s most spin-friendly ground. This team is unbelievable. You pick your five best bowlers, @ashwinravi99 has to be the first or second name. Omitting him & @MdShami11 at the Oval is like a death-wish — as if you want to lose!” he tweeted.

I can't believe they left out Ashwin again, on England's most spin-friendly ground. This team is unbelievable. You pick your five best bowlers, @ashwinravi99 has to be the first or second name. Omitting him & @MdShami11 at the Oval is like a death-wish — as if you want to lose!

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 2, 2021

India in trouble

Meanwhile, India have found themselves in trouble in overcast conditions yet again. They have lost four wickets with not many runs on the board and Virat Kohli will be key for the visitors now. The Indian skipper has looked in good touch and the fans will be hoping for him to end the century drought finally. It will be interesting to see if India manage to bat out the day and post a decent total in the first innings.